Television viewers are in for a treat this evening as one of Britain's most enduring reality shows marks a significant milestone. The Apprentice returns to BBC One for its landmark 20th season, continuing to showcase the unique blend of business acumen and dramatic tension that has captivated audiences for two decades.
A Milestone Season with International Flair
What makes this anniversary season particularly noteworthy is the international scope of the opening challenge. For the first task of this special 20th series, Lord Alan Sugar has dispatched his latest batch of ambitious candidates to the vibrant city of Hong Kong. Here, the competing teams must demonstrate their resourcefulness by locating nine specific items across the bustling metropolis, promising the kind of chaotic scenes that have become synonymous with the show's opening episodes.
Remarkably, after twenty years on air, the program continues to attract contestants who somehow manage to outdo their predecessors in terms of both ambition and occasional incompetence. The familiar spectacle of confident business hopefuls transforming into directionless participants under pressure remains a central part of the show's enduring appeal.
New Faces in the Boardroom
To commemorate this anniversary season, Lord Sugar has made a significant addition to the judging panel. Joining regular advisor Karren Brady will be Tim Campbell, who made television history as the very first winner of The Apprentice back in 2005. Campbell's presence adds a fascinating dimension to the proceedings, offering perspective from someone who has successfully navigated the exact challenges facing this year's candidates.
The combination of Sugar's no-nonsense approach, Brady's sharp business insight, and Campbell's unique experience as a former winner creates what promises to be the most compelling judging dynamic in the show's history.
Tonight's Complete Television Lineup
Beyond The Apprentice, Thursday evening offers a diverse range of programming across British television channels:
- Online Reviews – Can You Trust Them? (7:30pm, ITV1) – Sam Leader presents a timely documentary investigating the often murky world of online feedback systems. The program examines troubling cases including a woman who discovered her rental property had been converted into a cannabis farm despite positive agent reviews, and explores how negative reviews can be weaponised in digital extortion schemes.
- Dragons' Den (8pm, BBC One) – The investment series welcomes its first guest dragon as cosmetics entrepreneur Jenna Meek joins the panel. Pitchers include sustainable headwear designer Chloe, Murad with his innovative photo-printing application, and Karmen and Yoseph presenting a groundbreaking plant-based beverage concept.
- Lorraine Kelly's Norwegian Odyssey (8pm, Channel 4) – The popular presenter concludes her Scandinavian journey through the spectacular Lofoten Islands before venturing north to Tromsø, known as the gateway to the Arctic. Viewers can expect glass-blowing demonstrations, husky sledding adventures, and the breathtaking possibility of northern lights sightings.
- Long Lost Family (9pm, ITV1) – The emotional DNA series concludes its fifteenth season with two women searching for their older siblings. The program maintains its reputation for handling sensitive reunions with genuine compassion rather than sentimentality.
- Mystery Road: Origin (11:10pm, BBC Two) – The atmospheric Australian crime drama continues as rural detective Jay Swan becomes increasingly desperate to solve a missing persons case with personal connections, taking questionable investigative approaches that even his wayward brother recognises as problematic.
This evening's television schedule demonstrates the continuing strength and variety of British broadcasting, offering everything from high-stakes business challenges to international travelogues and compelling human interest stories.
